Conversations with Tom Petty (Expanded Edition)

By: Paul Zollo

Narrated by: Jim Meskimen

Length: 16 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Tom Petty has long been considered one of the great songwriters of American rock 'n' roll, as well as one of the key standard bearers of integrity in the music business. Conversations with Tom Petty is the first authorized book to focus solely on the life and work of the man responsible for some of the most memorable rock anthems of our generation, including: "American Girl", "Breakdown", "Refugee", "The Waiting", "Don't Come Around Here No More", "I Won't Back Down", "Free Fallin", "Runnin' Down a Dream", "You Don't Know How It Feels", "Mary Jane's Last Dance", and many others. Author Paul Zollo conducted a series of in-depth discussions with Tom about his career, with special focus on his songwriting. The conversations are reprinted here with little or no editorial comment and represent a unique perspective on Tom's entire career.

Originally published in 2005 (also by Omnibus Press), Tom's wife Dana has fully approved this updated edition, which retains its foreword by Petty, adds additional interview material, an expanded introduction as well as additional photos from Petty’s last ever live performance. This is, perhaps, as close as you can get to an autobiography by the great man.

©2012 Paul Zollo (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

A Must For Petty Fans

The price is right on audible. As a fan, this was a very good listen.

Tom Petty will always be here!

If you loved Tom Petty this is a wonderful listen. The author does a great job navigating Tom’s life and includes lots of details about his songs and how they came to be. Some of it gets a little repetitive but I didn’t really mind that. Some things are worth repeating! Tom definitely left the world better than he found it by giving us his astounding play list! Well done!

Essential for any music fan

What an incredible piece of work. If you like Tom Petty, you’ll leave loving him as a human and an artist after this book.

The songs of my youth.

Good book. Sometimes I forgot it wasnt him talking. Author was EXTREMELY prepared. Poignant questions to get more than just patent interview answers. Insightful. Tom was such a prolific song writer. Big loss.

repeats a lot of stuff

Enjoyed the book but by the end it just seemed to repeat everything over and over.

Inspiration for a lifetime

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the style of writing as conversations vs. interviews. It was so cool to get to hear Tom's thoughts and memories, in his own unique language style, and his reflections and insights into his songwriting, performances, relationships and his entire life. Listening to his music after reading this book brings me even more joy and inspiration as well as a deeper respect and gratitude for Tom Petty as an artist and person.

I loved it and I am only a moderate fan

This audiobook will take you awhile to listen to because will be constantly pausing the book and listening to the song that is being talked about.

Fantastic Book on Tom Petty's Life, Music

This was an excellent book! It was as if I was hearing Tom himself talk. It went into such great detail. Getting to know the awesome person- husband, father, musician, that he was. His love for music in its purest form was amazing. Any Tom Petty fan should listen Ryo or read this book. Thank you.

Very informative and enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book. It was detailed and extensive so you need to be a fan of course, but Tom Petty was such a wonderful, compassionate and intelligent person as well as an amazing, amazing songwriter and musician and this clearly shows through. Jim Meskimen does a masterful job. I several times caught myself thinking how great it was that someone recorded TP to then remind myself it was a beautiful rendition of him by Jim! Can’t thank you enough.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience for the Petty fan

We still miss Tom Petty so much and spending 18 hours with him brings back so many old and new memories. Great and well-written book.